Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Part I

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Part I 1 3 Soon as the siege and assault had ceased at Troy, This king lay at Camelot nigh on Christmas the burg broken and burnt to brands and ashes, with many lovely lords, of leaders the best, the traitor who trammels of treason there wrought reckoning of the Round Table all the rich brethren, was tried for his treachery, the foulest on earth. with right ripe revel and reckless mirth. It was Aeneas the noble and his high kin There tourneyed tykes by times full many, who then subdued provinces, lords they became, jousted full jollily these gentle knights, well-nigh of all the wealth in the Western Isles: then carried to court, their carols to make. forth rich Romulus to Rome rapidly came, For there the feast was alike full fifteen days, with great business that burg he builds up first, with all the meat and mirth men could devise: and names it with his name, as now it has; such clamour and glee glorious to hear, Ticius to Tuscany, and townships begins; dear din in the daylight, dancing of nights; Langobard in Lombardy lifts up homes; all was happiness high in halls and chambers and fared over the French flood Felix Brutus with lords and ladies, as liked them all best. on many banks all broad Britain he settles With all that’s well in the world were they together, then, the knights best known under the Christ Himself, where war and wreck and wonder and the loveliest ladies that ever life honoured, betimes have worked within, and he the comeliest king that the court rules. and oft both bliss and blunder For all were fair folk and in their first age have held sway swiftly since. still, the happiest under heaven, 2 king noblest in his will; And when this Britain was built by this baron rich, that it were hard to reckon bold men were bred therein, of battle beloved, so hardy a host on hill. in many a troubled time turmoil that wrought. More flames on this fold have fallen here oft 4 than any other I know of, since that same time. While New Year was so young it was new come in, But of all that here built, of Britain the kings, that day double on the dais was the dole served, ever was Arthur highest, as I have heard tell. for the king was come with knights into the hall, And so of earnest adventure I aim to show, and chanting in the chapel had chimed to an end. that astonishes sight as some men do hold it, Loud cry was there cast of clerics and others, an outstanding action of Arthur’s wonders. Noel nurtured anew, and named full oft; If you will list to this lay but a little while, and see the rich run forth to render presents, I’ll tell it straight, as I in town heard it, yelled their gifts on high, yield them to hand, with tongue; argued busily about those same gifts. as it was said and spoken Ladies laughed out loud, though they had lost, in story staunch and strong, while he that won was not wrath, that you’ll know. with linked letters loaded, All this mirth they made at the meal time. as in this land so long. When they had washed well they went to be seated, 1 the best of the barons above, as it seemed best; Bishop Baldwin above, he begins the table, with Guinevere, full gaily, gracing their midst, and Ywain, Urien’s son, ate alongside him. dressed on the dais there, adorned all about – These sat high on the dais and deftly served, splendid silk by her sides, and sheer above and many another sat sure at the side-tables. of true Toulouse, of Tartar tapestries plenty, Then the first course came with crack of trumpets, that were embroidered, bright with the best gems with many a banner full bright that thereby hung; that might be price-proved with pennies new noise of kettledrums and noble pipes, any a day. wild warbles and wide wakened echoes, the comeliest to descry that many a heart full high heaved at their notes. glanced there with eyen grey; Dainties drawn in therewith of full dear meats, a seemlier ever to the sight, foods of the freshest, and in such files of dishes sooth might no man say. they find no room to place them people before and to set the silver that holds such servings 5 on cloth. But Arthur would not eat till all were served, Each his load as he liked himself, he was so joyous a youth, and somewhat boyish: there ladled and nothing loath; he liked his life lively, he loved the less Every two had dishes twelve, either to long lie idle or to long sit, good beer and bright wine both. so busied him his young blood and his brain wild. And also another matter moved him so, 7 that he had nobly named he would never eat Now will I of their service say you no more, on such dear days, before he had been advised, for each man may well know no want was there of some adventurous thing, an unknown tale, another noise full new neared with speed, of some mighty marvel, that he might believe, that would give the lord leave to take meat. of ancestors, arms, or other adventures; For scarce was the noise not a while ceased, or else till someone beseeched for some sure knight and the first course in the court duly served, to join with him in jousting, in jeopardy to lay, there hales in at the hall door a dreadful man, lay down life for life, allow each to the other, the most in the world’s mould of measure high, as fortune might favour them, a fair advantage. from the nape to the waist so swart and so thick, This was the king’s custom when he in court was, and his loins and his limbs so long and so great at each fine feast among his many friends half giant on earth I think now that he was; in hall. but the most of man anyway I mean him to be, Therefore with fearless face and that the finest in his greatness that might ride, he stands straight and tall; for of back and breast though his body was strong, full lively at that New Year both his belly and waist were worthily small, much mirth he makes with all. and his features all followed his form made and clean. 6 Wonder at his hue men displayed, Thus there stands straight and tall the king himself, set in his semblance seen; talking at the high table of trifles full courtly. he fared as a giant were made, There good Gawain was graced by Guinevere and over all deepest green. beside, and Agravain a la dure main on the other side sits, 8 both the king’s sister-sons and full sure knights; And all garbed in green this giant and his gear: 2 a straight coat full tight that stuck to his sides, and bound both with a band of a bright green, a magnificent mantle above, masked within dressed with precious stones, as its length lasted; with pelts pared pertly, the garment agleam then twined with a thong, a tight knot aloft, with blithe ermine full bright, and his hood both, where many bells bright of burnished gold ring. that was left from his locks and laid on his Such a man on a mount, such a giant that rides, shoulders; was never before that time in hall in sight of human neat, well-hauled hose of that same green eye. that clung to his calves and sharp spurs under He looked as lightning bright, of bright gold, on silk stockings rich-barred, said all that him descried; and no shoes under sole where the same rides. it seemed that no man might And all his vesture verily was bright verdure, his mighty blows survive. both the bars of his belt and other bright stones, that were richly rayed in his bright array 10 about himself and his saddle, on silk work, And yet he had no helm nor hauberk, neither, it were tortuous to tell of these trifles the half, nor protection, nor no plate pertinent to arms, embroidered above with birds and butterflies, nor no shaft, nor no shield, to strike and smite, with gay gaudy of green, the gold ever inmost. but in his one hand he held a holly branch, The pendants of his harness, the proud crupper, that is greatest in green when groves are bare, his bridle and all the metal enamelled was then; and an axe in his other, one huge, monstrous, the stirrups he stood on stained with the same, a perilous spar to expound in speech, who might. and his saddle bows after, and saddle skirts, The head of an ell-rod its large length had, ever glimmered and glinted all with green stones. the spike all of green steel and of gold hewn, The horse he rode on was also of that hue, the blade bright burnished with a broad edge certain: as well shaped to sheer as are sharp razors. A green horse great and thick, The shaft of a strong staff the stern man gripped, a steed full strong to restrain, that was wound with iron to the wand’s end, in broidered bridle quick – and all engraved with green in gracious workings; to the giant he brought gain.

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